Memory allocation for char array

Question

I have a big problem with C language when it comes to strings, char * \'s or whatever... So in this particular case I have a huge problem. I want to create an array

Answer 1

Depending upon your (i) tool-chain and (ii) how and when you will know you the size - you have the option to use either (a) Variable Length Arrays or (b) Dynamic Memory Allocation functions.

if (tool-chain supports C99 and later) or (you will know the array length at runtime) use Variable Length Array

if (older tool-chain) or (you want the flexibility of allocating and releasing the memory) use Dynamic Memory allocation function

here are samples

1 Variable Length Array

void f(int m, char C[m][m])
{
    char test[m];
    :
}

or

2 using Dynamic Memory Allocation function

void somefunc(int n)
{
    char *test;

    test = malloc (n * sizeof (char));

    // check for test != null

    // use test

    free (test);
}

can be written using VLA as

int n = 5;
char test[n];